Max followed her line of sight.
A truck was parked in the shadows just beyond the gate, its engine and headlights off. A man leaned against the driver’s side door, his arms crossed and his posture defiant.
Kenny. That had to be Kenny.
Lyndee’s estranged husband and the man who’d tried to kill her. She’d talked a lot about him and what a vile person he was.
Max’s jaw tightened as he turned back to Lyndee. “You don’t want to do this. You’re safe here, Lyndee. He can’t hurt you here.”
Her resolve turned into a tremble—but just for a moment. Then she raised her chin. “You don’t understand.”
“I understand enough.” He stepped closer, keeping his movements slow so he wouldn’t spook her. “You came here for a reason. Whatever’s waiting out there hasn’t changed. Kenny hasn’t changed, no matter what he says.”
The man pushed off the truck and walked toward them. “Hey, babe. What’s going on? We need to hit the road.”
Max didn’t look away from Lyndee. “Remember, he tried to kill you. You told me so yourself. You don’t have to go with him.”
Lyndee’s gaze fluttered to her husband and then back to Max. Her motions were quick and jerky with indecision and doubt.
“Get in the truck, Lyndee.” Kenny’s voice turned sharper. “We’re not doing this again.”
Lyndee hesitated, and doubt flickered in her gaze.
Kenny rushed toward the gate. Lyndee must have gotten the lock open because he pushed inside.
Even with the space between them, Max could smell the stale cigarette smoke on the man’s clothing and see the vitriol in his gaze.
“I don’t know who you are, but you need to back off.” Kenny glowered at Max. “This isn’t your business. I’m here to bring my wife home—where she belongs.”
Max straightened to his full six-foot-three height and broadened his already broad chest. “This is my business when it happens here. This land is private property, and you’re trespassing.”
The man chuckled under his breath. “I didn’t realize this place came with a bouncer.”
Max didn’t respond, only glared.
“Come on. Let’s go.” Kenny grabbed Lyndee’s wrist.
She flinched as if it hurt.
“You should have stayed away.” Max bristled as he stepped closer. “Let her go, and leave.”
Kenny turned toward him, irritation flashing across his face. “Or what?”
“Or I’ll make you let her go, and then I’ll make you leave.”
Kenny stared at him, something dark simmering in his gaze.
The next moment, the man swung his fist.
Hadley felt the change in the air.
Juno began pacing again, her nails clicking against the floor. But Hadley’s attention shifted past the dog a moment.
Something was wrong.
Raised voices carried through the walls. The words were too muffled to distinguish but sharp enough to send a pulse of unease through her chest. The dogs sensed it too and began to bark. All of them—except Juno—seemed to join in the cacophony.
She pushed to her feet and turned to Juno. “Stay put, girl. I’ll be right back. I promise.”
